Explore part-time MBA programs
Find out if earning a part-time MBA degree online can help you achieve your career goals.
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Why earn a part-time MBA degree?
Work while in school
Enrolling in a part-time MBA program makes it easier to work while you earn your degree.
Flexible format and schedule
A part-time online MBA program allows you to plan your class schedule around your other commitments.
Respected by employers
Many employers prefer to hire someone with an MBA, so earning yours can help you stand out from other job applicants.
A part-time online MBA program can help you develop the business knowledge and practical skills you need to run a business, manage financial matters, and help organizations grow and thrive.
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Full-time MBA vs. part-time MBA
Prospective students can earn an online MBA degree on a part-time or full-time schedule, depending on the school. This section explores the differences between part-time and full-time MBA programs.
Full-time MBA program
- Faster completion time
- Less flexible schedule
- Less likely to be available online
- Difficult or impossible to work full-time while in school
- Opportunities for networking and interactions with classmates and professors
Part-time MBA program
- Longer completion time
- Offers more schedule flexibility
- More likely to be available online
- Easier to work a full-time job while in school
- Potentially fewer networking opportunities and visibility in classrooms
What jobs can you get with an online MBA degree?
An online MBA program can prepare you for lucrative and in-demand business careers in nearly any field, including finance, accounting, marketing, and healthcare. Earning an MBA can help graduates differentiate themselves from other applicants for management jobs.
Below, we outline some potential career paths for graduates with an MBA.
- Top executive: Help businesses meet their goals through strategic planning and management.
- Financial manager: Direct investment activities and create plans that help organizations meet long-term financial goals.
- Advertising, promotions, and marketing manager: Coordinate programs to attract interest in products or services.
- Sales manager: Coordinate the creation of products or services for sale to customers.
- Financial analyst: Advise organizations on ways to make a profit using various investments.
Salary expectations for MBA program graduates
MBA program graduates can pursue high-paying careers in nearly any industry. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that top executives earned a median annual salary of $103,840 as of May 2023.
Financial managers made a median annual salary of $156,100, while sales managers earned $135,160 during the same period.
Your earnings after graduation vary depending on your previous education, professional experience, industry, and geographic location. Other factors that may impact your salary include your employer, specific role, and area of specialization.
Career outlook for MBA graduates
An MBA can help you enter a business occupation for the first time or take your career to the next level.
The BLS projects that overall employment of management occupations will grow faster than the average for all jobs between 2023 and 2033. The Bureau expects about 1.2 million job openings each year during this period.
In general, growth in business and management jobs will likely mirror economic growth.
What can you learn in an online MBA program?
A master of business administration is a graduate-level degree that helps students develop broad but advanced knowledge of business theory and practice. It can prepare you for various management and business roles in diverse industries.
In an online MBA program, you can learn fundamental business skills and explore topics including marketing, finance, accounting, and management. Students take core, elective, and concentration courses like:
- Marketing management
- Management communication
- Accounting
- Strategic leadership
- Managerial finance
- Business ethics
Students learn skills like communication, leadership and management, critical thinking, and teamwork. They can also develop business strategy, time management, entrepreneurship, and networking acumen.
Some online like:
- Marketing
- Supply chain management
- Business data analytics
- Finance
- International business
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- Artificial intelligence
Admissions requirements for an online MBA
Each school and program has its own specific admissions requirements. In general, online MBA programs require that applicants meet the following criteria:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Relevant professional experience
- A minimum GMAT or GRE score (if applicable)
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 (if applicable)